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| Pair guilty of human trafficking after drugs raid in UK legal first | Pair guilty of human trafficking after drugs raid in UK legal first |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Mahad Yusuf and Fesal Mahamud pleaded guilty in first such use of police powers under the Modern Slavery Act | |
| Press Association | |
| Wed 6 Dec 2017 23.32 GMT | |
| Last modified on Thu 7 Dec 2017 00.05 GMT | |
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| Two gang members who ran a so-called “county line” drug network have been convicted of human trafficking in the first case of its kind. | Two gang members who ran a so-called “county line” drug network have been convicted of human trafficking in the first case of its kind. |
| Mahad Yusuf, 20, and Fesal Mahamud, 19, pleaded guilty to trafficking a 19-year-old woman, who was forced to transport drugs from London to Swansea. | Mahad Yusuf, 20, and Fesal Mahamud, 19, pleaded guilty to trafficking a 19-year-old woman, who was forced to transport drugs from London to Swansea. |
| It is believed to be the first time police have successfully used powers under the Modern Slavery Act to target members of city gangs, who use a phone line to facilitate their supply of class A drugs into county or coastal towns. | It is believed to be the first time police have successfully used powers under the Modern Slavery Act to target members of city gangs, who use a phone line to facilitate their supply of class A drugs into county or coastal towns. |
| Yusuf and Mahamud also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs at Swansea crown court. | Yusuf and Mahamud also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs at Swansea crown court. |
| Police said their victim, from London, was contacted on social media before being lured into a car and driven to Swansea. She was met by Yusuf, who told her “she belonged to him”, and her mobile phone was destroyed. | Police said their victim, from London, was contacted on social media before being lured into a car and driven to Swansea. She was met by Yusuf, who told her “she belonged to him”, and her mobile phone was destroyed. |
| The woman, who was reported missing, was held for five days at an address where she was forced to store class A drugs before police raided the property on 25 May. Mahamud was said to be directing the actions of Yusuf. | The woman, who was reported missing, was held for five days at an address where she was forced to store class A drugs before police raided the property on 25 May. Mahamud was said to be directing the actions of Yusuf. |
| The pair will be sentenced at Swansea crown court on 4 January. | The pair will be sentenced at Swansea crown court on 4 January. |
| DI Rick Sewart, of Scotland Yard’s gang crime unit Trident, said: “The victim in this case suffered a horrendous ordeal at the hands of these two men, who trafficked her for their own criminal gain. | DI Rick Sewart, of Scotland Yard’s gang crime unit Trident, said: “The victim in this case suffered a horrendous ordeal at the hands of these two men, who trafficked her for their own criminal gain. |
| “Unfortunately this case is by no means unique. Drug dealers are exploiting vulnerable people across the country via county lines. | “Unfortunately this case is by no means unique. Drug dealers are exploiting vulnerable people across the country via county lines. |
| “This prosecution is a clear message to any drug dealer that if you exploit young people we will find you, bring you to justice and you will feel the full force of the law.” | “This prosecution is a clear message to any drug dealer that if you exploit young people we will find you, bring you to justice and you will feel the full force of the law.” |
| Det Supt Tim Champion, who is leading the Metropolitan police’s county lines investigations, said: “Drug supply is not new, however the exploitation of vulnerable young people by criminal networks, to move and supply drugs across the country, takes this offending to a new level.” | Det Supt Tim Champion, who is leading the Metropolitan police’s county lines investigations, said: “Drug supply is not new, however the exploitation of vulnerable young people by criminal networks, to move and supply drugs across the country, takes this offending to a new level.” |
| Last month an analysis by the National Crime Agency revealed the “county lines” drug distribution model is prevalent across England and Wales. | Last month an analysis by the National Crime Agency revealed the “county lines” drug distribution model is prevalent across England and Wales. |
| It estimated there are at least 720 lines used by gangs to deal hard drugs, such as heroin and crack cocaine, often involving the exploitation of vulnerable young people. | It estimated there are at least 720 lines used by gangs to deal hard drugs, such as heroin and crack cocaine, often involving the exploitation of vulnerable young people. |
| Home Office minister Victoria Atkins said: “County lines gang activity and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities. | Home Office minister Victoria Atkins said: “County lines gang activity and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities. |
| “I am pleased to see police taking full advantage of the legislative powers available including the Modern Slavery Act to tackle this scourge.” | “I am pleased to see police taking full advantage of the legislative powers available including the Modern Slavery Act to tackle this scourge.” |
| Crime | |
| Drugs | |
| news | |
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